Can I ask pastor to visit dying relative?

[pantingdeer]

A relative of mine is dying. Would you think it would be okay for a pastor from church to visit them?

 

[jacks]

I think it would be fine. I would contact the hospital (or hospice) first, they often have pastors that minister to the sick and dying. If they don't, then I would ask the pastor at your church, if they would be willing to visit. If the relative is reluctant to be visited, you may ask them to do it as a personal favor to you, i.e. it would make you feel better. That way if they don't want to admit that they would like to hear from a pastor, pleasing you can be the excuse they need. I'm sure the hospital pastors have ideas too, talk with them.

 

[Paidiske]

First gain the consent of your relative (no reputable pastor is going to turn up against their wishes). Then yes, absolutely contact a pastor and ask them to visit.
If they're in hospital you can ask for the hospital chaplain, but if they're at home, I'd contact the local church of your preference.

 

[d taylor]

A relative of mine is dying. I am not aware of them ever asking for a visit from a pastor but do you think it would be okay for me to ask a pastor from church to visit them? I do not know where they stand before God and would like them to hear the word when they are alone.
How would I organise this? Do I contact the pastor or hospital?

*​

Why do you need a pastor, can you not explain to them how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

 

[A_Thinker]

Ask your church. One of their ministers should be willing to do this for you ...

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

A relative of mine is dying. I am not aware of them ever asking for a visit from a pastor but do you think it would be okay for me to ask a pastor from church to visit them? I do not know where they stand before God and would like them to hear the word when they are alone.
How would I organise this? Do I contact the pastor or hospital?

Adrian Plass in his book "The Diary of Adrian Plass On Tour" tells of someone who visited a dying relative whom he didn't know where that relative stood with God. He said to her, "You know that you are going to meet Jesus soon, and you could ask Him to look after you wherever you are going to go." That helped me to know what I could say if I needed to say something comforting to a dying relative if the event presented itself.

 

[pantingdeer]

*​

Why do you need a pastor, can you not explain to them how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

I’m not allowed to visit because of covid.

 

[Paidiske]

I’m not allowed to visit because of covid.

Ohh... in that case the pastor may not be allowed to visit either. Where I am visits are allowed for end-of-life care, but if you (a relative) are not allowed, I'd be surprised if a pastor is allowed.

 

[David Hunter]

It never hurts to ask your pastor if they'll visit. You could also ask any trusted friend you have in Christ, if you can't visit yourself.

 

[pantingdeer]

Ohh... in that case the pastor may not be allowed to visit either. Where I am visits are allowed for end-of-life care, but if you (a relative) are not allowed, I'd be surprised if a pastor is allowed.

Pastors are allowed any time but visits from anyone else are heavily restricted.

 

[Paidiske]

Pastors are allowed any time

I'd be surprised if that were true, but it doesn't hurt you to ask. (I've had to explain to some of my parishioners that things they thought would be allowed, actually aren't).

 

[d taylor]

I’m not allowed to visit because of covid.

Does this person have the virus

 

[Der Alte]

A relative of mine is dying. I am not aware of them ever asking for a visit from a pastor but do you think it would be okay for me to ask a pastor from church to visit them? I do not know where they stand before God and would like them to hear the word when they are alone.
How would I organise this? Do I contact the pastor or hospital?

I have a pastor friend who literally baptized and buried my first wife and baptized my second wife.
Before I knew him he visited the home of one of his lady parishioners a number of times. Her husband was not saved, bedridden and uncommunicative. Nevertheless he visited the man frequently read scripture, spoke a bit and prayed. Just before the man passed away he became somewhat lucid. He couldn't speak but motioned to his wife he wanted to write something. She provided him a tablet and pen. He wrote "Bro. Tony was here. I am ready."

 

[pantingdeer]

Does this person have the virus

No

 

[pantingdeer]

First gain the consent of your relative (no reputable pastor is going to turn up against their wishes). Then yes, absolutely contact a pastor and ask them to visit.
If they're in hospital you can ask for the hospital chaplain, but if they're at home, I'd contact the local church of your preference.

From what I understand they are not very responsive and I also cannot visit them to ask.

 

[Paidiske]

From what I understand they are not very responsive and I also cannot visit them to ask.

In that case, unless you are the official next of kin or power of attorney (with legal rights to make such decisions), no, you probably can't have a pastor visit.

 

[pantingdeer]

I think it would be fine. I would contact the hospital (or hospice) first, they often have pastors that minister to the sick and dying. If they don't, then I would ask the pastor at your church, if they would be willing to visit. If the relative is reluctant to be visited, you may ask them to do it as a personal favor to you, i.e. it would make you feel better. That way if they don't want to admit that they would like to hear from a pastor, pleasing you can be the excuse they need. I'm sure the hospital pastors have ideas too, talk with them.

Thank you

 

[Tolworth John]

A relative of mine is dying. Would you think it would be okay for me to ask a pastor from church to visit them? I do not know where they stand before God and would like them to hear the word when they are alone.
How would I organise this?

Are you able to visit them regularly?
Do they know they are dying?
talk to them about their life, family, hopes, fears, even about their funeral and of course about what you believe.

If they accept that they are dying, regular visits from you will be apricated and if they have accepted that they are dying they may be willing for a visit from a pastor. You need to prepare the way for them.